Universal valve annulus sizing device

Abstract

A device for measuring an internal dimension of a native cardiac valve annulus includes an elongated support member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A measuring portion is coupled to the distal portion, and an indicator is coupled to the proximal portion of the support member. The measuring portion is biased towards a deployed configuration such that when deployed it applies an outwardly directed radial force to the native valve annulus.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of measuring an internal dimension of a native cardiac valve annulus of a patient, the valve annulus having an interior surface, the method comprising:
 providing a valve annulus measuring device having a main body portion and an expandable measuring portion, the main body portion including an elongated support member that couples an adjustable member to the expandable measuring portion, the measuring portion being radially expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein a rotation applied to the adjustable member causes expansion of the measuring portion;   inserting the valve annulus measuring device in the collapsed configuration into the patient so that the measuring portion is positioned within the valve annulus; and   rotating the adjustable member until the measuring portion contacts the interior surface of the valve annulus indicating that the measuring portion has fully engaged with the interior surface of the valve annulus.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable member includes an associates scale which is configured to indicate a corresponding diameter or circumference of the valve annulus. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring device includes indicia to indicate a diameter or circumference of the internal dimension of the valve annulus. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring portion comprises a plurality of measuring petals that are radially expandable between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         5 . A method of measuring an internal dimension of a native cardiac valve annulus of a patient, the valve annulus having an interior surface, the method comprising:
 providing a valve annulus measuring device having a main body portion and an expandable measuring portion, the main body portion including an elongated support member that couples an adjustable member to the expandable measuring portion, the measuring portion being radially expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the main body portion further including a rod that is coupled to the adjustable member at a proximal end and includes a threaded distal end, wherein threads of the rod engage corresponding threads of a tapered element such that a rotation applied to the adjustable member causes rotation of the rod which in turn causes longitudinal motion of the tapered element proximally with respect to the main body portion and along an interior surface of the measuring portion, which causes expansion of the measuring portion;   inserting the valve annulus measuring device in the collapsed configuration into the patient so that the measuring portion is positioned within the valve annulus; and   rotating the adjustable member until the measuring portion contacts the interior surface of the valve annulus indicating that the measuring portion has fully engaged with the interior surface of the valve annulus.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the adjustable member includes an associates scale which is configured to indicate a corresponding diameter or circumference of the valve annulus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the measuring device includes indicia to indicate a diameter or circumference of the internal dimension of the valve annulus. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the measuring portion comprises a plurality of measuring petals that are radially expandable between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         9 . A device for measuring an internal dimension of a native cardiac valve annulus, the device comprising:
 a main body portion; and   an expandable measuring portion being radially expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;   wherein the expandable measuring portion includes a plurality of elongated measuring elements, each of the plurality of elongated measuring elements having a first end coupled to the main body portion and a second end adapted to move radially outward; and   wherein the main body portion includes an elongated support member that couples an adjustable member to the expandable measuring portion, and wherein a rotation applied to the adjustable member causes expansion of the measuring portion such that a second end of each of the plurality of elongated measuring elements moves radially outward.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the main body portion further includes a rod that is coupled to the adjustable member at a proximal end and includes a threaded distal end, wherein threads of the rod engage corresponding threads of a tapered element such that a rotation applied to the adjustable member causes rotation of the rod which in turn causes longitudinal motion of the tapered element proximally with respect to the main body portion and along an interior surface of the measuring portion, which causes expansion of the measuring portion. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the adjustable member includes an associates scale which is configured to indicate a corresponding diameter or circumference of the valve annulus. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising indicia to indicate a diameter or circumference of the internal dimension of the valve annulus. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the measuring portion comprises a plurality of measuring petals that are radially expandable between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the adjustable member includes an associates scale which is configured to indicate a corresponding diameter or circumference of the valve annulus. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising indicia to indicate a diameter or circumference of the internal dimension of the valve annulus. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the measuring portion comprises a plurality of measuring petals that are radially expandable between the collapsed configuration and the expanded configuration.